Plastic to Granite

Learn baseline skills for climbing outside on single pitch sport climbs.

Based at the legendary City of Rocks, this is the perfect class for gym and/or beginning climbers looking to make the transition outdoors. The instructional focus is on foundational risk management skills and on leading bolt-protected sport climbs. Learn best practice techniques for belaying, rappelling, and leading, and climb some of the best granite sport routes in the country!

Day 1: Essential risk management for outdoor climbing

  • Equipment (ropes, belay devices, belay gloves, quick draws, slings/tethers)
  • Belay skills
    • Basic knot review
    • Closing the system
    • Review PBUS
    • Belay devices, skinny ropes and friction
    • Lead belaying including w/Gri Gri.
  • Rappelling
    • Closing the system
    • Rappel extensions
    • Back-ups
    • Tethering

Day 2: Introduction to leading sport climbs

  • Quick draws and clipping
  • Rope awareness
  • Building and cleaning anchors (on lead, and after TR)
  • Overhead clips vs. waist clips
  • Practice leads and/or mock leads
  • Intermediate movement skills

 Difficulty: Previous rock climbing experience (indoor or outdoor) helpful

 Duration: 2 days

 Meeting Time: 9am

 Meeting Location: City of Rocks Visitor Center in Almo

 What We Provide:

  • All technical climbing equipment (shoes, harness, helmet, belay device, carabiners). Discount packages can be purchased at Backwoods Mountain Sports in Ketchum.

 What You Need:

  • Basic outdoor clothing and footwear
  • Small day pack
  • Lunches
  • Lodging or camping arrangements for City of Rocks courses
  • Review the equipment list

Ratio: 4:1

 Rates: $375/person (based on 3 person minimum)

 Dates:

  • Saturday & Sunday, May 27-28, 2023
  • Saturday & Sunday, June 10-11, 2023
  • Saturday & Sunday, September 9-10, 2023
  • Saturday & Sunday, September 30- October 1, 2023